A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint Petersburg vs. Gjovik for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Gjovik?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Gjovik? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Saint Petersburg or Gjovik?

Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg is a beautiful city that sits on the eastern edge of the Baltic Sea. Its historical city center is threaded with canals and architecturally impressive buildings, leaving little doubt as to why this city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the second largest city in Russia, but perhaps a favorite among travelers. The metropolitan area has a population of over 5 million as well as an impressive culture with fascinating museums, restaurants, and architecture. The city has no shortage of sights and attractions, and many days can be passed while you wander its intricate streets.

Gjovik

Gjovik is a small town that is one of the five towns that are found around Norway's largest lake, Lake Mjosa. The other towns include Hamar, Lillehammer, Brumunddal and Moelv. The town's population is small, with only 28,807 residents. The town administration also includes the suburban area of Hunndalen and the rural districts of Biri, Snertingdal, and Vardal. Gjovik's early industry was originally centered around glassworks, dating back to the early 1800s. The city continued to grow through immigration throughout the 1800s until it was given a town charter in 1864. The town's economy today is more centered around regional trade and agriculture as well as education. There is a university in town, Gjovik University College, which focuses on information security, the medical industry, and engineering. Gjovik is also the last stop to the north on the Gjovikbanen railway line.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Norway, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Gjovik, we can see that Gjovik is more expensive. And not only is Saint Petersburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saint Petersburg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint Petersburg and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Gjovik would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Gjovik than you might in Saint Petersburg.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saint Petersburg Expensive? and Is Gjovik Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Gjovik?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 230 times larger than the population of Gjovik. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Gjovik, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Saint Petersburg or Gjovik?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Gjovik in the Summer?

Both Gjovik and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Gjovik for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Saint Petersburg is around the same temperature as Gjovik. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Petersburg in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Gjovik averages at about 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Gjovik. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg usually receives more sunshine than Gjovik during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Gjovik receives 246 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Gjovik. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Gjovik receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Gjovik in the Autumn?

Both Gjovik and Saint Petersburg during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Gjovik in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In October, Saint Petersburg is generally cooler than Gjovik. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 6°C (42°F), and Gjovik fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Gjovik. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gjovik receives 86 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in October than Gjovik. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Gjovik receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Gjovik in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Gjovik. Furthermore, most visitors come to Gjovik for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Gjovik can be very cold during winter. Saint Petersburg can get quite cold in the winter. Saint Petersburg is much colder than Gjovik in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around -8°C (18°F) in January, and Gjovik fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Gjovik during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies, while Gjovik receives 40 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Gjovik. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Gjovik receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Gjovik in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Gjovik.

Saint Petersburg can be very cold during spring. In the spring, Saint Petersburg is cooler than Gjovik. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Petersburg in April average around 4°C (40°F), and Gjovik averages at about 6°C (42°F).

In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Gjovik. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gjovik receives 178 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in April than Gjovik. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Gjovik receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Gjovik and Saint Petersburg